Ghanaian duo fall with brave Sutton to Arsenal in FA Cup

Ghanaians Kevin Amankwaah and Bradley Hudson Odoi were part of the Sutton United FC team that lost 2-0 to Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round game on Monday night.

Amankwaah was born in England while Hudson Odoi was born in Accra and is the son of former Hearts of Oak star Bismarck Odoi. He was once touted as a future star with Ghana when he was called up to the Black Satellites in 2006.

The Gunners were too powerful for the lowly National League side in front of their fans inside the Boroughs Sports Ground where they scored via Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott.

Thirty four-year-old defender Amankwaah captained the Sutton team against the London giants that paraded many of their stars with a sprinkling of youngsters like Jeff-Reine Adelaide. David Ospina started in goal while Rob Holding partnered Shkodran Mustafi in the heart of defense as Gabriel and Nacho Monreal played as full backs.

Nigerian star Alex Iwobi was part of a three-pronged attacking trio alongside Walcott and Perez with Adelaide, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed El Neny making up the midfield.

Perez put the visitors in the lead on 26 minutes after breaking through the wings and firing low past Sutton goalkeeper Ross Worner as Walcott’s dummy left the defense confused.

Iwobi provided an assist for Walcott to score in the second half as the Gunners confirmed their superiority despite a spirited defensive effort from the hosts.

Hudson-Odoi came on as a substitute on 71 minutes but their best chance came through Roarie Deacon who hit the post with a screamer that left Ospina rooted to his spot.

The hard fighting hosts were knocked out of the competition with Arsenal advancing to the quarter finals where non-league side Lincoln City await them.